ISUG Techcast: JSF Web DataWindow

ISUG Techcast: JSF Web DataWindow -- Taking Java Server Faces to the Next Level

Join us on July 18, 2006 - 01:00 PM (EST) for the next ISUG Techcast.

Lets face it. Building high quality, Web application user interfaces is hard. Java Server Faces (JSF) Web technology seeks to simplify that. Sybase WorkSpaces JSF Web DataWindow and Web Application Development Module goes it one better.

The DataWindows 4GL WYSIWYG capability helps customize the look and feel of the Web page, and binds the presentation to business logic using drag and drop. With Sybase's patented DataWindow technology, the convenience of codeless data-driven application development is brought to Web applications via a JSF component. The DataWindow engine has the intelligence to automatically track the users modifications, then create SQL UPDATE, INSERT and DELETE statements from scratch freeing the developer to concentrate more on architecture and business logic.

Join John Strano, Technology Evangelist, Sybase, Inc., as he discusses the JSF Web DataWindows latest innovations in data presentation and data manipulation on the Web.

Join us to learn how:

Sybase WorkSpaces visual development environment gives the developer the flavor of a 4GL experience
WorkSpaces Web Application Development module provides life-cycle support including design, development, debug/test, and deployment of Web applications
The JSF component user interface framework eases the burden of writing and maintaining applications that run on an application server and renders their User Interfaces back to a target client
JSF Web DataWindow enables you to win the data manipulation, data presentation game hands down

Learn more about the ways in which Sybase WorkSpace and DataWindow technology can help you get the most out of your precious development hours.

Register at http://response.sybase.com/forms/ISUGJULYREG

Where’s TeamSybase?

Sort of the TechWave equivalent of "Where's Waldo?". Find the really geeky guys (and gal) amongst a crowd of, well, other geeky guys (and gals). So where will TeamSybase be at:

Test Your Sybase IQ Gameshow
Sunday August 6th: 4pm to 7 pm
A Jeopardy style gameshow between TeamSybase and Sybase in which the audience (you) win prizes. It's a grudge match as a result of last year's blowout.

Tech Support Solutions Lab
Monday August 7th: 5pm to 9pm
Tuesday August 8th: 6am to 8am and 12pm to 8pm
Wednesday August 9th: 6am to 8am and 2pm to 6pm
Thursday August 10th: 9:30 am to 1pm
The Tech Support Solutions Lab is located off the Exhibit Hall and directly across from the Registration & Information Center on the fourth floor, Palace Ballroom Foyer. TeamSybase will be supporting Sybase support staff as they answer your tech support questions for free. This year there are extended and early morning sessions (which will include breakfast) in order to accommodate your schedules.

Exhibit Hall
Monday August 7th: 6pm to 8pm
Tuesday, August 8th: 12:00pm to 1:00 pm, 2:30 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Wednesday, August 9th: 12:00 - 2:00 pm
Either hanging out at the ISUG Booth, the PBDJ Booth (for those who are PBDJ authors and editors) or at thier own Sponsor Booth (PowerObjects).

Presentations
Monday August 7th: 1pm to 6pm
Adaptive Server Enterprise Tips and Tricks - Rob Verschoor, Roman Ballroom, Salon IV
Tuesday August 8th: 1pm to 6pm
PowerBuilder Tips and Tricks - John Strano - Roman Ballroom, Salon III
Wednesday August 9th: 8:00am to 9:30am
Using PowerDesigner - A Case Study - Michael Nicewarner - Pompeian Ballroom, Salon III
Advanced DataWindow.Net – Dave Fish and Bruce Armstrong – Genoa
Wednesday August 9th: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Using PowerBuilder to develop applications for Oracle: Special Considerations - Bruce Armstrong - Florentine Ballroom, Salon IV
Wednesday, August 9th 1:00pm - 2:30pm
PowerBuilder Foundation Classes (PFC): The Open Source Project - Boris Gasin, Terry Voth, Bruce Armstrong, Alex Whitney - Florentine Ballroom, Salon IV
Wednesday August 9th: 2:45pm to 3:45pm
Building a web application Engine using Sybase DataWindow - Dean Jones - Florentine Ballroom, Salon IV
Thursday, August 11th, 9:45am to 10:45am
Tips, Tricks & New Features in ASE - Rob Verschoor - Roman Ballroom, Salon III
PowerBuilder: Services are the key to reuse – Jeff Pryslak and Bruce Armstrong – Roman Ballroom, Salon IV

ISUG Journal

ISUG is in the process of producing an expanded Journal in order to cover more of the Sybase/iAnywhere product line. Articles are typically 4-6 pages in length (~2250-~3500 words + graphics) and are due during the month before the publishing quarter. (e.g., the deadline for the Q4 edition would be in September). Published authors are paid $250 for their work, and are eligible for the annual ISUG Journal Award competition.

ISUG also accepts smaller "Tips & Tricks"-type submissions. These are generally 2 pages in length (~1000 words + graphics) with the same due date as the regular articles. Due to the reduced size, the payment for these articles is $100.

If you are interested in finding out more, including the precise deadline dates for the issue of interest, please contact journal@isug.com

[Of course, I'm also always looking for authors for the PowerBuilder Developer's Journal as well, so feel free to submit to both of us if the material is appropriate for both]

ISUG Annual Meeting

ISUG will be holding its annual member meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada at the end of TechWave 2006. Please join us on Thursday, August 10th after the morning sessions. Grab your boxed lunch and join us for a review of ISUG business and of course the ISUG member raffle.

ISUG enhancement sessions

This year they will be held on Wednesday August 9th at 4pm. There are no other sessions scheduled for that time, so pick the topic nearest and dearest to you and stop in to discuss the future of your favourite Sybase products!

Important ISUG News

From the ISUG President's newsletter. See in particular the highlighted section. There's really no excuse anymore for folks not to be participating in the ISUG enhancement process.

ISUG Announces New Membership Benefits Pricing and Renewal Promotion

Last month ISUG announced changes to our member benefits structure. We wanted to take this opportunity to give you a second look at the changes.

There are now three benefit packages available to our members:

• Basic: Access to the members-only website, including full participation in the ISUG Enhancements process (i.e., with voting rights), and ability to see featured articles from the expanded Technical Journal. This is especially ideal for students and those on a limited budget.


• Journal: Basic package, plus a subscription to the ISUG Technical Journal (print and online editions) -- perfect for anyone that doesn't require the free Sybase/iAnywhere software benefits. Also includes a 20% discount on a subscription to PBDJ.
  


• Complete: Journal package, plus access to all the free NFR and developer-edition software benefits, and all the discounts.

Membership benefits package pricing is as follows:

• Basic: $20.00 (USD)


• Journal: $70.00 (USD)


• Complete: $95.00 (USD)

In addition, the price for Corporate memberships has changed as follows:

• Workplace Corporate (up to 6 members) -- $375


• Enterprise Corporate (up to 12 members) -- $600

You can change your level of benefits when you renew your membership, but the change will not take effect until the expiration of your original membership. If you wish to upgrade your benefit level during your membership year, please contact membership@isug.com. Please note that no refunds or partial-refunds will be issued for your current year's level of benefits.

Client Server Comeback?

Interesting post on the Client Server Renaissance (the author's term, not mine). Of course, that particular author doesn't believe PowerBuilder will be part of it. He does reference a Don Dodge column that notes the cyclical nature of the software industry. Not sure Client/Server as we used to know it is coming back, but richer clients that can work with a variety of data sources via standard protocols are gaining vogue.

What that eventually led me to was another Don Dodge post, where he comments on the "Kleiner Perkins 7 rules for software start-ups". While applicable to start ups, I think they are also applicable to mature tools that want to re-invigorate their presence in the market space. They are:

* Instant Value to customers - solve a problem or create value with the first use (Focus)
* Viral adoption - Pull, not push. No direct sales force required (Motivate)
* Minimum IT footprint, preferably none. Hosted SaaS is best.
* Simple, intuitive user experience - no training required. (KISS)
* Personalized user experience - customizable
* Easy configuration based on application or usage templates
* Context aware - adjust to location, groups, preferences, devices, etc.

I've noted where I believe some of those rules relate to one of the "Innovate or Die" posts I made earlier.